Peggy O’Neill was an American actress who is best known for her roles in Song of the Open Road, It’s a Pleasure, and The Hoodlum Saint.
Personal and Family Life
Peggy O’Neill was born Barbara Jeanne O’Neill in San Francisco, California. She was the daughter of a bank cashier and had French and Italian heritage. At the age of eighteen, she won a beauty contest, which led her to Hollywood where she got noticed by producer Charles Rogers, who arranged a screen test for her.
Career Highlights
Peggy debuted in the 1944 comedy Song of the Open Road, which garnered attention and praise, with columnist Louella Parsons branding her “Hollywood’s newest Cinderella.” She also participated in a bond-selling tour in Texas during the summer of 1944 alongside actresses Adele Mera and Gale Storm. Her other film credits include small roles in It’s a Pleasure and The Hoodlum Saint.
Death and Legacy
Peggy O’Neill married Army officer Lloyd Miner on January 16, 1945, but they separated shortly after the wedding. Tragically, after a heated argument with her boyfriend Albert Mannheimer, she took her own life by overdosing on sleeping pills on April 12, 1945, at the age of twenty-one. She was interred at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles, leaving behind a brief yet impactful legacy in the film industry.
Filmography
| Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Song of the Open Road | Peggy | 1944 |
| It’s a Pleasure | Cricket | 1945 |
| The Hoodlum Saint | Cigarette Girl (uncredited) | 1946 |
| You Came Along | Model (uncredited) | 1945 |
| Penthouse Rhythm | Party Guest (uncredited) | 1945 |
| All-American Co-Ed | Grape Queen (uncredited) | 1941 |